Why I don't ship to Canada

[skaar]

Ok, seriously.

I would like to know why all the bullshit over shipping to Canada from the USA. The price difference without tracking is like... negligible. If you want tracking, charge people the extra for it.

Why?

[skaar]

Comments welcome, as well.

[JoeNES]

I do ship to Canada, but instead of tracking, I use Sent Confirmation ($1). If it gets lost or the person tries to screw me, I've got my receipt and the S.C., I'm set. I have found the cost to be only slightly higher, I just wish the tracking was better.

PS, it works both ways: If you buy an NES game off eBay from Canada, you are looking at $8-$12 to ship to the US. Rip.

[Desiboi1992]

I never knew about that sent confirmation. I always use tracking now, and to do that, it costs like 13 dollars to ship to canada -_-.

I don't trade w/ canadians anymore.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I've never had a problem shipping to Canada. For single games, airmail is most times cheaper than domestic priority... re: reluctance to ship to Canada; some ppl are nutz.

[scorch56]

I send stuff to Canada all the time. Buy my stuff. I like Canadians.. they're cool (though not quite as cool as "Brits"). My grandfather was exiled to Canada.. they took him in (It's a long story.). Hell.. if it weren't for the Canadians.. our people might STILL be sitting in the embassy over in Iran.. still being held hostage after 20 years (Oh wait.. I just forgot who's president right now.. we'd be in WW III). :roll:

But getting serious now.. I've never had any problems shipping to Canada. Sure it costs a LITTLE more; but if you're seriously talking that taking 3 minutes out of your all important lives to fill out a customs form is a hassle.. then you're actually probably either an idiot who can't write.. or seriously lazy.

I'd like to hear more about this "sent confirmation" as well. My local PO has never mentioned such a thing to me. When I send to Canada.. what I'm currently doing for the recipent in lieu of a DC # is giving them the customs form #. My local PO tells me that while it can't be used for tracking.. it CAN be used by them to locate a package if it's hung up in customs. If there's a better alternative for only $1 more.. I've never heard of it.

Granted.. high-speed trackable methods can be costly (I've never used them.. nor had anyone ask for them) but air parcel isn't much worse than our domestic rates. Pricing can be a little "goofy" at times though and I don't understand how the two countries split the revenue.. since BOTH of them are putting out. Take just today.. for example.. I sent off one Genny game to Canada (among others). Postal clerk asks "how?". I said.. "anything except that damn slow ground." He throws the package on the scale and says "yeah.. you don't want to do that." I ask "why?". He says.. "Look". Cost of ground with 4-6 weeks delivery? $4.35. Cost of Air Parcel w/ 4-6 days delivery? $2.20. Go figure.:hmm: :?

[Nez]

Customers forms, no tracking, takes for ever to arrive wich i get complaints about, lost items during transport. I hate canadian mail. Unless I trust the guy on the other side I'm not dealing with it.

[scorch56]

Customers forms, no tracking, takes for ever to arrive wich i get complaints about, lost items during transport. I hate canadian mail. Unless I trust the guy on the other side I'm not dealing with it.

You must deal with the wrong people. In ALL of my years of eBaying and sending items to Canadian members here on DP.. I'd estimate I've sent about 50 packages. Not one has ever been lost.. ever. I think the longest wait was 4 weeks.. but most Canadians KNOW they're postal sevice sucks. From what I understand and hear from them.. they go on strike every other month.. so all of my customers take that into consideration.

There ARE ways of tracking through the postal system.. but global priority is outrageous. A little known secret? IF you're shipping a "costly" yet semi-light item to Canada and want tracking? Go United Parcel Service.. it's a lot cheaper than the postal system in most cases (again.. go figure). I recently sent a Megaman GCN controller to Canada and went UPS.. from So. Oregon to Vancouver took only 3 DAYS! via UPS. I swear.. the truck must have skipped customs.

There's no way to get around the forms (even with UPS) but seriously.. it's NOT a big inconvenience. But then again.. I also think we Americans are the biggest, fattest, laziest-assed slobs on the face of this planet.. and don't really deserve to live on it.. so I understand ;).

[Aussie2B]

I don't have any problems with Canadians, but every time I've shipped something to Canada it's always been a huge hassle so I avoid doing so unless someone asks me privately and I'm feeling nice. You see, I have to deal with complete incompetence at my local post office, and doing anything involving a different country is a nightmare (even getting an IPMO). Having to fill out custom forms makes it that much worse. Plus, I never have any clue what the shipping cost will be, so I have no idea what to tell my buyer in advance. It pretty much always ends up being more than I expect.

I also avoid buying from Canada too. The shipping fee is usually way too expensive, and it takes longer than I'd like. I actually have an easier time ordering stuff from Japan, even without EMS.

[Wolf]

I'm not really sure why alot of people have this policy, I can't count the number of times I have gone on ebay looking for used or import games and while there is US sellers who have no problems selling to Canada or worldwide it pisses me the fuck off when I see "ships within united states" especialy when it is a case of only one being up with BIN or other ones being in less shape.

So...I just buy from play asia now or other import stores, and somtimes I just end up taking a week or two vacation in the US and run around to different states buying up what I find while getting fucking drunk off my arse lol.

On another note, over the last few years Canada post has really be drilling us hard in the ass, from 2001-2003 I was making loads ( I only needed a part time job! ) on ebay through yard sales on the weekends, but once CP rates went up thats when alot of my sales started dropping.

[ryborg]

You must deal with the wrong people. In ALL of my years of eBaying and sending items to Canadian members here on DP.. I'd estimate I've sent about 50 packages. Not one has ever been lost.. ever.

Same here. Except my number is MUCH higher, at least a couple hundred since '98. Never lost a package to Canada. Once in a while a package will be returned to me because of an insufficient address or something apparently similar (I hate when Paypal payments are missing a line from the address because it "doesn't fit" and the buyer doesn't say anything). I've had a few packages go missing over the years to other continents, but never Canada.

I do charge a little bit extra because I don't get the free, home-delivered mailing supplies like I do for Priority Mail, but certainly not the $8 for a 6 ounce package some sellers charge.

[wrldstrman]

I send stuff to Canada all the time and havent had a problem.

[Bassgrabber]

I ship to Canada, but would also like to know about the dollar "Sent Confirmation" deal. Any more info on that, JoeNES?

There isn't an "I have no problem shipping to CAN" box for the poll, so I couldn't vote. DISCRIMINATION!! :-D

[nebrazca78]

I do ship to Canada, but instead of tracking, I use Sent Confirmation ($1). If it gets lost or the person tries to screw me, I've got my receipt and the S.C., I'm set. I have found the cost to be only slightly higher, I just wish the tracking was better.

PS, it works both ways: If you buy an NES game off eBay from Canada, you are looking at $8-$12 to ship to the US. Rip.

Has this Sent Confirmation ever stood up in a Paypal dispute?

[Cornelius]

I do ship to Canada, but it scares me because without delivery confirmation there is nothing that stops the buyer from taking my item and my money if they use paypal. I now require good feedback or ask that they contact me for a UPS shipping quote. I also charge more since I have to go to the post office or UPS and queue up, which I've pretty much eliminated for US sales.

[Hep038]

Most of the time I do not ship to Canada. Out of the 30 packages I have sent to Canada, 10 of the buyers complained to me of how long it took to get there. Its not so much shipping to repeat customers, more or less new ones. I ship from my work so it never takes more than 2 days for me to get something out. And I almost always send a e-mail to let the person know I shipped the item. And I do not blame them either for getting worried about getting screwed. Because I am a new person to them. IT is just natural to get jumpy 2 weeks after getting a e-mail that your package was sent and you have no way of tracking it. If the postal service gets a little quicker about shipping to Canada, I would have no problem including them in my US shipments.

[scorch56]

I asked an "idiot's question" about this quite some time ago and got answers. Like I said.. most Canadians know THEIR postal system is slow.. they KNOW the employees are lazy and spoiled (US postal workers.. although the postal system is no longer ran BY our government.. STILL CAN'T strike) and MOST have to live with that.

Another thing you can explain to them.. or they need to realize.. is that despite the fact that OUR postal system is populated by people who could "snap" any minute.. they work hard and efficiently. I believe we enjoy one of the BEST postal systems on the planet.. especially for what we pay; but when shipping to Canada.. they HAVE to realize that our packages probably get to the border as quickly.. at worst.. as a package crossing the length of the US. Once it hits the border.. that's where it stops.. and Canadian entities take over. A package going INTO Canada is then handed over to Canadian customs.. not ours. Likewise.. a package THEY send us.. passes through OUR customs. Which is why it takes even LONGER for their packages to reach us in most cases.. we have all of the 9/11 paranoia-mongers to thank for that.

Once you explain all of this to a Canadian.. they usually understand.. if they still whine.. then congratulations.. you've just sold a game to a whiney-assed, impatient, teenaged ingrate.. live & learn.

In the past few months I've had many a Canadian thank me for sending them the customs form #.. especially after I explain what it is to them. Most have never even heard of it because I'm the first American to take the time to e-mail it to them. I have my little, friendly and efficient local clerks to thank for enlightening me. They explained to me once that IF a package gets hung-up in Canadian customs for a few weeks (a distinct possibility) after a reasonable waiting period.. a Canadian can "bother" their own customs service to "go look for it". I've never known of anyone to actually validate that supposition.. but it's usually enough to reassure them.. if nothing else.

I guess what I'm trying to say in a nutshell is that ANY delay or slowness in the shipping of a package to Canada.. is most likely due to their OWN system.. not ours. If they're an adult and know that already.. all the better, but if you go the extra inch to explain that to them if they don't.. ahead of time.. they usually never complain when it happens after that. The same can be said for OUR system. I don't get my panties bunched up when a Canadian mails me something until about the 6-week mark.. seriously.. but I've NEVER had to wait that long either.. except once.. and it was OUR custom's fault.. not the mailer's.. I'm certain. I know the months of the year, and I can read a postmark.

[Poofta!]

got no problem shipping to and from there, as long as the buyer understands the extra time and money itll take. i like canada =]

[Bratwurst]

They explained to me once that IF a package gets hung-up in Canadian customs for a few weeks (a distinct possibility) after a reasonable waiting period.. a Canadian can "bother" their own customs service to "go look for it". I've never known of anyone to actually validate that supposition.. but it's usually enough to reassure them.. if nothing else.

I can confirm this, I've sent things to Europe and when they'd become tangled up in customs (sometimes up to two months delay from time of shipment) the custom form number can be used to 'find' the package.

[mr_nihilism]

I'd just like to thank everyone that is willing to ship to Canada.

Me, I have no problem shipping to the good 'ol USA

[The Shawn]

I've shipped to Canada 3 or 4 times and never had any problems.

[norkusa]

I don't have any problems shipping to Canada (or anywhere else). As long as they buyer is paying for all shipping costs, I don't care where it goes.

[rcgamer]

I ship to Canada. As someone else said if you are shipping single games then letter post is just as cheap as first class mail. Also I have never been burned by a Canadian buyer while I have been burned several times by U.S. buyers.

[stuffedmonkey]

I don't ship to Canada because:

1) It means I have to go to the post office. I normally do not have to go to the post office because most games I send out are under the 1 pound limit. I just weigh the thing at home and drop it in the mailbox on my way to the Metro. I can't go to the post office Monday-Friday - as the one near my house is only open 8am-5pm - and I am at work. So this means I have to go on a Saturday, shich is a pain and delays shipment.

2) I will not falsify customs forms. This is usually a deal killer. Many people expect me to BS the forms and report the game I just sold as a "gift" - which I won't do.

3) Canada post has a bad habit of taking forever to actually deliver the stuff - leading the buyer to get pissed thinking that I didn't send the thing out.


4) The added shipping costs usually make the game more expensive for the buyer.

[Wookie]

Blame the US post office. I can ship almost anything domestically via the automated system or just drop them in the box. International packages all have to be handed to a live clerk, which means standing in line. Average wait time during hours I can actually get there are 15-30 minutes and I value my time more than that.

[scorch56]

Oh gawd.. I feel another "Do you lie on custom's form?" poll coming on about now ;).

[Night Driver]

I don't ship to Canada because:
2) I will not falsify customs forms. This is usually a deal killer. Many people expect me to BS the forms and report the game I just sold as a "gift" - which I won't do.Ditto. This is the primary reason I don't ship internationally anymore.

[tmlfan]

I
3) Canada post has a bad habit of taking forever to actually deliver the stuff - leading the buyer to get pissed thinking that I didn't send the thing out.


I think customs may have something to do with the delay, no so much CP. I will send anywhere, I got burned about 2 years ago for almost $200 sending to the UK, paypal claim, I had no way to prove I sent. Still doesnt stop me, shit happens.

edit: for the record this was only time I sent something and the person didnt get it, or said they didnt get it. on upwards of 2000 items sent i would guess, 75% international as most are us buyers

[skaar]

I've found most shipping within Canada to be hella fast and efficient. I don't think the issue lies with Canada Post or US Mail, I think it's customs that fucks everyone over, really.

[Kid Ice]

No problem shipping to Canada here. I usually just ask for the difference in shipping.

[Buyatari]

Nope. You need confirmation that the person recieved it.


Has this Sent Confirmation ever stood up in a Paypal dispute?

[Cornelius]

2) I will not falsify customs forms. This is usually a deal killer. Many people expect me to BS the forms and report the game I just sold as a "gift" - which I won't do.


Why do people want it that way? I'm assuming they have to pay taxes or fees on merchandise, but I've not encountered the situation.

[skankinmack]

you guys are all a bunch of location-ists

[Anthony1]

Blame the US post office. I can ship almost anything domestically via the automated system or just drop them in the box. International packages all have to be handed to a live clerk, which means standing in line. Average wait time during hours I can actually get there are 15-30 minutes and I value my time more than that.


Word Skippy!

I try to avoid going to a "real" Post Office at all costs. Every single time I venture into a real post office, there is a super long line. At least a half hour of waiting. I get paid $20 an hour, so I figure a half hour of my time is worth 10 snaps. Of course, nobody is going to want to add $10 to their shipping total, just because I have to wait in line. So why deal with it? I actually feel sorry for people that have to go to a real post office, and have no other option. I have two grocery stores within 5 minutes of me that offer all the normal shipping options of the post office, and charge the same exact price. They are "satellite" post office locations. The only downside, is that you can't ship internationally at them. So that means if a Canadian wants to buy something from me, I have to go to a "real" post office. If there was no line at the Post Office, I would do it, but there always is.

[skaar]

See, here we have postal outlets in our stores - you can ship internationally from any of them. It's one form to fill out to mail to the US, that's it.

[Kitsune Sniper]

See, here we have postal outlets in our stores - you can ship internationally from any of them. It's one form to fill out to mail to the US, that's it.

We (well, in the US ;P) have postal outlets too, but some like to add a fee to whatever you're mailing.

One store charges $2 extra for shipping anything from their office... x_x

[Griking]

Ok, seriously.

I would like to know why all the bullshit over shipping to Canada from the USA. The price difference without tracking is like... negligible. If you want tracking, charge people the extra for it.

Why?

I refuse to accept PayPal payments for anything that I cannot track. (I'll make an exception if the item is cheap and I'm in a gambling mood). The only real way that I can track a package shipped to Canada is by shipping via UPS which is just too expensive to be worth it. The only people who would bid on an item when I quote UPS international shipping are the people who don't pay attention to my shipping quotes and I really don't want to bother with them anyways.

However I have no problem shipping to Canada if you pay with cash. If i'm supposed to trust you and ship without tracking them you should be able to trust me and pay with cash.

[arfin]

I personally thank all of you that ship to Canadians. Just a warning, DO NOT use UPS to ship to Canada. Many Canadians don't know it but they find out soon ... ups charges giant, ridiculous brokerage fees. For example the last time ups shipped something to me, the value of the game was around $40 US (said so on the customs form to) and i was charged $40, on top of the $10 i paid to have the damn game shipped.

Also don't cheap out, go for airmail. It shouldn't be more then a few bucks over surface, and much faster.

[bangtango]

I try to avoid going to a "real" Post Office at all costs. Every single time I venture into a real post office, there is a super long line. At least a half hour of waiting. I get paid $20 an hour, so I figure a half hour of my time is worth 10 snaps. If there was no line at the Post Office, I would do it, but there always is.

As you surely know, there are two reasons for that.

1. Having an extra clerk costs more money.

2. They know 99% of the people in line aren't going to leave, regardless of how long the wait might be. Just like a person can't walk out of the DMV on account of a long line if he/she is there because of a license, registration, etc. So they are able to get away with it.

Really, it is quite similar to most thrift stores, supermarkets or department stores. The only place that comes to mind with decent lines is a fast food establishment and that is because most places stress short lines to keep a person from going to a competitor across (or down) the street.

[Muscelli]

I only had 1 problem shipping to canada, of course the guy said he didn't get it.. But I think he was BSing me anyway.. I dont have a real prob shipping to canadians...


Anybody know if you can print shipping labels via paypal to canada? I am assuming not

[udisi]

I only ship internationally to people I know.

Most people have metioned the reasons...Customs forms, unable to track, stupid people complaining about how long it took. I'll add one more though. Paypal charges an international fee plus an exchange rate fee(on top of whatever rate they want to exchange it at) You can say I should blame paypal, but I have to deal with paypal to complete my transactions in a timely manner.

[DreamTR]

I have no problem shipping to Canada.

[dojosky]

Yeah I sure do ! ....some of my favorite customers lives in canada ! :D I even ship worldwide.

I don't like shipping to FRANCE! Cuz 2 buyers from France has lied about their packages :(.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Push Upstairs]

I don't ship to Canada because that weird number/letter zipcode frightens and angers me.


Actually, shipping to Canada hasn't really been that big of a problem for me.


The UK however....X_x

[Classicgamesdepot]

no problem shipping to Canada or anywhere internationally here..if it's a large order, 75$ or more, I make the buyer pay for Express mail shipping which is trackable and insured, this protects the buyer, and the tracking number holds up in paypal disputes.

[nate1749]

When I ship to canada through the usps (edmonton, alberta) my customers have to pick it up from the airport (not convenient). The last time I shipped to them using UPS customs stopped the package and needed a series of paperwork (basically the same forms refilled out) and then they held it for a week and the whole process took forever and was a nightmare. People said they'd call me and didn't, was told to fax info to wrong #s, the agent didn't get the fax when I did get the right #, they didn't even know what forms they needed etc. etc.

Just a big pain and if they weren't a customer I wouldn't ship to them, which is why I generally don't ship to Canada.

Nate

ps - UPS isn't my primary shipper, DHL is, but they don't do ground to Canada, so another inconvenience for me.

[arfin]

Uh Dojosky.. lol Canadians aren't some form of disease, the way you said "some of the candaians are friendly and cool with me " is that supposed to be shocking or something? "OMG some of them are actually friendly!!, wow they are humans after all!"

DefualtGen, can i have your ebay username please, i don't want to ever have to move my ass to ship a game to some american like you.

[man_traic]

Ok, seriously.

I would like to know why all the bullshit over shipping to Canada from the USA. The price difference without tracking is like... negligible. If you want tracking, charge people the extra for it.

Why?

Note: many vinyl record sellers I know have problems with Canada.

The Canadian PO is very finicky with addresses - even the slightest discrepancy in an address (eg '23 Smith Street 87654' as opposed to '23 Smith Road 87654') is alleged to result in non-delivery at which point the package is likely to get destroyed.

How this affects despatch prices, I don't know.

[man_traic]

I personally thank all of you that ship to Canadians. Just a warning, DO NOT use UPS to ship to Canada. Many Canadians don't know it but they find out soon ... ups charges giant, ridiculous brokerage fees. For example the last time ups shipped something to me, the value of the game was around $40 US (said so on the customs form to) and i was charged $40, on top of the $10 i paid to have the damn game shipped.

Also don't cheap out, go for airmail. It shouldn't be more then a few bucks over surface, and much faster.

Dont use UPS in general. They're useless IMHO

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Despite higher costs i've had no problems with Canadian members

[Borman]

What do you guys feel is the best way to ship internationally (With tracking, but also a "decent" value that will stand up to Paypal)? Ive shipped internationally without any problems, but I hold my breath every time I do.

[arfin]

Why can't you at least make exceptions based on feedback or something, don't just say no to all Canadians.

Shipping to the USA is probably just as dangerous anyways. You can prove you got the package to the guy, but not what is in the package.

[MachineGex]

I don't have a problem shipping to canada, but I hate shipping to florida. I have had far more problems with forida than all the other states and countries combined. I would rather ship to south america than florida. South america I never know if it is gonna get there, florida I know they will "say" they never got it.

[Simply Dave]

I have no problem shipping to Canada, but I don't accept Paypal payments. I only take money orders or cash.

[scooby105]

I have no problem shipping to Canada, but I don't accept Paypal payments. I only take money orders or cash.

That's the only way I'll do it. Then the buyer can't file a Paypal chargeback or whine that customs fees are too high and deny the package and expect me to resend it or any of that stuff.

[scorch56]

I don't have a problem shipping to canada, but I hate shipping to florida. I have had far more problems with forida than all the other states and countries combined. I would rather ship to south america than florida. South america I never know if it is gonna get there, florida I know they will "say" they never got it.

That's because in Florida.. all of the mail-carriers deliver mail in their "Hoverounds".. they can be slow at times.

[Antimind]

I've had quite a few problems with packages coming from the states. I have friends and family in the states that have had problems sending within the states. The USPS has gone downhill over the past few years. I blame ebay for all their mixups.

I don't mind waiting. I know things have to clear customs. Typically packages from the west coast are faster cause customs in Ontario is slow. Never had a problem with Canada Post or Canadian customs. All of the shipping problems I've ever had were on the US side of the border. Mostly packages that don't leave the post office for weeks or months at a time (yes with tracking).

The most recent was a PSP game that looked as if it missed the bin they toss packages into down there. It looked like it was under something dusty or kicked around the floor for a while. The tracking/post label was illegible. The package itself was filthy. Took 2 months to get here but the inside and game were clean. I know it never actually entered Canada because I have contacts in customs. I always know when a package enters the country.

The only thing I can say is, don't use USPS. Not even for shipments within the US. They lose too many letters and packages anymore. Their service has gone so far downhill it's unreal. Go brown, go fedex, just don't reply on your postal service.

[Arcade Antics]

Go brown, go fedex, just don't reply on your postal service.

Both UPS and FedEx use the USPS for shipping.

[scorch56]

Both UPS and FedEx use the USPS for shipping.

I find that VERY hard to believe. Can you offer up some proof of this? Just because a person in off the street can actually "mail" stuff via USPS from a "brown store", doesn't mean that's what they use themselves.

So there isn't a single brown UPS truck in Canada? Any Canadians here care to refute this claim? Ever had a guy driving a brown UPS truck in little brown shorts walk up to any of your doors and hand you something? I think so.

Sounds kind of silly.. especially since.. like I said.. I can ship a lot of "medium-weight" items to Canada via UPS a LOT cheaper than I can via USPS.

So I take my package to UPS and pay for ground shipping. They insure it and give me a NON-postal service tracking number. They then deliver it to the post office who then MAILS it to Canada.. who then goes back to the Canadian PO, picks it up.. and then puts it BACK into their system for delivery? All the while.. keeping track of it with their OWN proprietary tracking number? Uh-huh.

Is there a BS smiley?

[Antimind]

He's BSing you. We have fedex and UPS in Canada. I've had packages delivered both ways. Shipping within Canada I use Canada Post. Read his post again though, he's trying to claim that all services in the states go through USPS. That doesn't sound right to me.

[bangtango]

What was the purpose of the thread here in this forum? Reading someone's sale thread tells you all you need to know about their shipping preferences. Right there in plain and simple print. Assuming a seller actually states this ahead of time, which most people tend to do. The bigger problem isn't whether or not people ship to Canada. It is when 50% of the users on this board, some of whom you see in the Buy/Sell forums, don't even state what country/state/province they are from in their profile. It is simple as putting Michigan (or even USA), Toronto (or Canada), Osaka (or Japan). You get the idea. The whole wanting to remain anonymous, private or mysterious by not saying where you are from in your profile is one thing. Still, it is another story when you expect to do semi-regular business on a forum and have it go hassle free without lots of time wasted or needless questions.

[Bratwurst]

It is a fact UPS and FedEx both use the USPS for certain destinations. All of the major delivery carriers interact and pool resources more than you might initially think. A package might get dropped off at a UPS store, and a UPS driver might hand it off to you, but the interim journey is another story.

[nate1749]

It is a fact UPS and FedEx both use the USPS for certain destinations. All of the major delivery carriers interact and pool resources more than you might initially think. A package might get dropped off at a UPS store, and a UPS driver might hand it off to you, but the interim journey is another story.

Ehhh, what are you talking about? UPS has UPS Canada and the only time they dish off the package to someone else is for customs. If what you said was true, then FedEx and UPS would deliver to ALL of Canada, but they don't. In fact, I've even had my local FedEx Kinko's tell me sorry they don't deliver there, so if they indeed used the local canadian post, it would be able to go everywhere in Canada. Additionally, DHL doesn't do ground to canada, only express.

I find that canadian customs holds my packages, but out of all the times I've shipped to Europe it's never once been held up. Anyone else ship internationally have that trend?

Nate

[arfin]

This is to Canadians:

How, or why do you guys prefer UPS!? Every package i have had delivered to me, the charge was unbelievable. Is it not the same for you? The times i have had UPS deliver to me i really did like the tracking they offer, and they are damn quick too. But i always make sure the seller doesn't use UPS.

[Bratwurst]

Ehhh, what are you talking about?

Do you think each individual package sprouts wings that have their respective carrier's logos on them, flapping them furiously to reach your front door? Packages filter into a hub, where they are moved en masse to other hubs, and more hubs, eventually, at some point, there is a hub for your local area, and from there, a UPS/FedEx delivery guy picks it up to deliver to you. This naturally relies on whether there is a presence in a given area for the end delivery. Simple as that.

The airplanes and trucks that carry these massive quantities of packages between hubs are often shared by more than carrier, there are corporate alliances struck up where one carrier will use space owned by another carrier's airline, etc.

Just something I want to add to make this conversation pertinent to the subject a little bit again, when USPS delivers your items to another country, they often pay that other country's postal system to carry it the rest of the way. To a point where I question if the USPS is making any profit at all.

I travel to Canada often, and had to return some faulty equipment to an associate who lives there. I decided to take it across the border with me because I figure shipping to 2 points within Canada would be cheaper vs. USA to Canada. It actually cost me more, and took longer, than if I had sent it from the US.

[badinsults]

Yeah, it is pretty sad that way. I have mixed results from people shipping to me. I have had a guy ship me an item from Oregon, and I got it about 4 business days after it was shipped. I have also had things that arrived 3 weeks after it was shipped. In general, shipping from the US and shipping from within Canada are about equal in price.

[Jumpman Jr.]

I've been dealing on DP for 2 and a half years now and really haven't had all that many problems getting American's to ship to me.
Building a reputation helps getting Americans to ship to us Canadians, though. I figure the more and more known and trustworthy you are, the less people will worry about shipping to you.
I don't know, I obviously don't have an opinion on the issue because I'm from Canada.

[Felixthegamer]

Bad experiences so I wouldn't ship to Canada for just any ol' person. If I knew them or it was a money order or something, I would consider it though

[skaar]

So this is boiling down to ignorance of postal procedures combined with an unwillingness to put in extra effort to mail things?

The reason I started this thread is because I was annoyed at yet another seller having something I wanted and flat out refusing to ship outside of the US - with no reason given. Not unreasonable, but annoying and not the first time.

I have no objection to paying more to have an item shipped internationally, but the attitude of completely refusing to deal outside of your own country is ridiculous.

This approach pretty well sums up my opinion of the average american's attitude to the world outside their borders. That may stem from living in a rather touristy part of Canada where american tourists are legendary for their complete ignorance. (Excuse me, is this price in canadian dollars?)

I ship to US buyers all the time and have no problem filling out a single piece of paper to get the package to them. Yes, they pay me Paypal. Yes, I pay a slight fee. But hey, they get what they want, and they're treated the way I would like to be treated. That's all I really ask for in a seller.

[AB Positive]

I've never had issues sending/recieving/trading in and out of Canada. Hell, I've traded with Maxlords over 10 times - flawlessly each time, btw.

People not shipping to Canada just reeks of laziness to me.

-AB+

[scooby105]

So this is boiling down to ignorance of postal procedures combined with an unwillingness to put in extra effort to mail things?

For me it has absolutely nothing to do with this. It stems from the fact that tracking is required on all purchases for Paypal protection, and people in other countries whine about how it costs $20 to ship a game. It costs a lot to use express mail. Air mail and surface mail do not cut it when it comes to Paypal.

People usually whine about customs charges too. Buyers usually want you to lie on customs forms as well, which is not acceptable.

[Aussie2B]

So this is boiling down to ignorance of postal procedures combined with an unwillingness to put in extra effort to mail things?

The reason I started this thread is because I was annoyed at yet another seller having something I wanted and flat out refusing to ship outside of the US - with no reason given. Not unreasonable, but annoying and not the first time.

I have no objection to paying more to have an item shipped internationally, but the attitude of completely refusing to deal outside of your own country is ridiculous.

This approach pretty well sums up my opinion of the average american's attitude to the world outside their borders. That may stem from living in a rather touristy part of Canada where american tourists are legendary for their complete ignorance. (Excuse me, is this price in canadian dollars?)

I ship to US buyers all the time and have no problem filling out a single piece of paper to get the package to them. Yes, they pay me Paypal. Yes, I pay a slight fee. But hey, they get what they want, and they're treated the way I would like to be treated. That's all I really ask for in a seller.

Well, with that kind of pissy attitude, you're not helping yourself any at convincing Americans to make an exception for you.

[skaar]

Well, with that kind of pissy attitude, you're not helping yourself any at convincing Americans to make an exception for you.

I've actually convinced several and had very good dealings with a good many on this board and ebay to sell to me in the past, and I hope my transactions have convinced some to change their attitudes. I don't hate everyone, just most people ;)

Also, I have people point at me on the street all the time saying "Hey, there goes that Americans-won't-ship-to-Canada guy."

And really, that hurts.

[nik]

90% of my games came from the US... I've only been stung once from a guy on Atari Age, but I didn't get tracking, so I was SOL, he could of not sent it, he could of, but I assume the former for the single fact I've done many, many, many transactions with the US and never had problems, ever, aside form the odd border fee, and I don't mind that.

Even so, it was about 100$, but it has not soured my relationship with the US and buying from there, I get annoyed that some ebay sellers don't send to canada, but oh well, it's a free world, I just pass on that sale and look for something else!

Thanks to all who ship to Canada, we don't bite, it's just the frost up here, seriously.